Methods for controlling an end-to-end distance in semiconductor device

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present disclosure may be used for patterning a layer in a 5 nm node or beyond fabrication to achieve an end-to-end distance below 35 nm. Compared to the state of the art technology, embodiments of the present disclosure reduce cycle time and cost of production from three lithographic processes and four etching processes to one lithographic process and three etch processes.

BACKGROUND

Semiconductor devices are used in a variety of electronic applications,such as personal computers, cell phones, digital cameras, and otherelectronic equipment. Semiconductor devices are typically fabricated bysequentially depositing insulating or dielectric layers, conductivelayers, and semiconductive layers of material over a semiconductorsubstrate, and patterning the various material layers using lithographyto form circuit components and elements thereon.

As the semiconductor industry has progressed into nanometer technologyprocess nodes, such as 5 nm nodes, in pursuit of higher device density,higher performance, and lower costs. The shrinking dimension of thesemiconductor devices presents challenges in semiconductor processingsteps. There is a need to improve efficiency and reduce cost for varioussemiconductor processing steps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the followingdetailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It isnoted that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry,various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of thevarious features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity ofdiscussion.

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a method for manufacturing a semiconductordevice according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A-2K are schematic sectional views of various stages of forming asemiconductor device according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3A is a schematic plan view of a reticle having a pattern withunidirectional features according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3B is a schematic plan view of unidirectional features after anangled etch process according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plot of an angled etch process according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a process apparatus forperforming the angled etch according to embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a process apparatus forperforming the angled etch according to embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, orexamples, for implementing different features of the provided subjectmatter. Specific examples of components and arrangements are describedbelow to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merelyexamples and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the formationof a first feature over or on a second feature in the description thatfollows may include embodiments in which the first and second featuresare formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in whichadditional features may be formed between the first and second features,such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. Inaddition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/orletters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose ofsimplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationshipbetween the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

Further, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,”“above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatiallyrelative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of thedevice in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted inthe figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degreesor at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors usedherein may likewise be interpreted accordingly.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to methods for forming apattern with reduced an end-to-end distance. During semiconductorprocessing, an end-to-end distance or an end-to-end critical dimensionmay refer to the shortest distance separating two neighboring featuresin the pattern. For example, when a pattern includes two linear featurespositioned next two each other along the same axis, for example, thelongitudinal axis, a distance between the two nearest end points of thetwo features in the axial axis is referred to the end-to-end distancebetween the two features. The features may be openings/holes or islandsin the pattern.

As the dimension of devices shrink, the end-to-end distance in patternfeatures also shrinks. For the node 5 nm process, the end-to-enddistance may be below 30 nm. It is challenging to achieve below 30 nmend-to-end distance using a single photolithographic process. Patternswith an end-to-end distance below 30 nm may be achieved through threelithographic processes and four etch processes in MD hard mask process.

For example, a first photolithographic process is used to form a firstpattern with first features in a first photoresist structure. The firstfeatures may include lines along the x-direction. The width of the linesor the dimension of the lines along the y-direction represents a targetend-to-end distance in the final pattern. The first photolithographicprocess may be an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithographic process. Thefirst pattern is transferred to a first hard mask layer by a first etchprocess using the first photoresist structure as a mask. After the firstphotoresist structure from the first lithographic process is removed, asecond photoresist structure is coated for a second photolithographicprocess.

The second photolithographic process is performed to pattern a secondpattern with second features in a second photoresist structure. Thesecond features may include lines along the y-direction. The width ofthe lines or the dimension of the lines along the x-direction representsa target width of features in the final pattern. The secondphotolithographic process may be an immersion lithographic process. Thesecond pattern is transferred to a second hard mask layer underneath thefirst hard mask layer by a second etch process using the secondphotoresist structure and the first hard mask layer as a mask. After thesecond photoresist structure from the second lithographic process isremoved, a third photoresist structure is coated for a thirdphotolithographic process.

The third photolithographic process is performed to pattern a thirdpattern with third features in the third photoresist structure. Thethird features may include lines along the y-direction. The secondfeatures and the third features may be identical but aligned at half apitch apart to form lines along the y-direction. The width of the linesor the dimension of the lines along the x-direction represents a targetwidth of features in the final pattern. The third photolithographicprocess may be an immersion lithographic process. The third pattern istransferred to the second hard mask by a third etch process using thethird photoresist structure and the first hard mask layer as a mask.

After the third photoresist structure from the third lithographicprocess is removed, the final pattern is formed in a third hard masklayer by a fourth etch process using the first and second hard masks asa mask. The final pattern on the third mask reflects the overlay of thethree patterns. Thus, in the existing technology, it takes threelithographic processes and four etch processes to achieve the end-to-enddistance below 30 nm.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provides a method for forming apattern having an end-to-end distance below 30 nm using onephotolithographic process and one pattern.

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a method 100 for manufacturing a semiconductordevice according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The method100 can be used to pattern a layer in a semiconductor substrate withunidirectional features. The method 100 uses one photolithographicoperation to form unidirectional features with an end-to-end criticaldimension of less than about 30 nm. The method 100 can be used topattern various layers in manufacturing semiconductor devices. Forexample, the method 100 can be used to pattern an interlayer dielectriclayer, to form metal gate structures, to pattern active regions, and topattern a polysilicon layer in a semiconductor device, such as a FinFETdevice. FIGS. 2A-2K are schematic cross sectional views of variousstages of forming a semiconductor device 200 according to the method100.

FIG. 2A is a schematic perspective cross sectional view of thesemiconductor device 200. In one embodiment, the semiconductor device200 includes one or more FinFET device structures 204 formed on asubstrate 202. The substrate 202 may be made of silicon or othersemiconductor materials. Alternatively or additionally, the substrate202 may include other elementary semiconductor materials such asgermanium. In some embodiments, the substrate 202 is made of a compoundsemiconductor such as silicon carbide, gallium arsenic, indium arsenide,or indium phosphide. In some embodiments, the substrate 202 is made ofan alloy semiconductor such as silicon germanium, silicon germaniumcarbide, gallium arsenic phosphide, or gallium indium phosphide. In someembodiments, the substrate 202 includes an epitaxial layer. For example,the substrate 202 has an epitaxial layer overlying a bulk semiconductor.

The FinFET device structure 204 includes one or more fin structures 206(e.g., Si fins) that extend from the substrate 202. The fin structures206 may optionally include germanium. The fin structures 206 may beformed by using suitable processes such as photolithographic and etchingprocesses. In some embodiments, the fin structures 206 are etched fromthe substrate 202 using dry etch or plasma processes.

An isolation structure 208, such as a shallow trench isolation (STI)structure, is formed to surround the fin structures 206. In someembodiments, a lower portion of the fin structures 206 is surrounded bythe isolation structure 208, and an upper portion of the fin structures206 protrudes from the isolation structure 208. In other words, aportion of the fin structures 206 is embedded in the isolation structure208. The isolation structure 208 prevents electrical interference orcrosstalk.

The FinFET device structure 204 further includes gate stack structures214 surrounded by an interlayer dielectric layer 212. The interlayerdielectric layer 212 may include multilayers made of multiple dielectricmaterials, such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride,tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), phosphosilicate glass (PSG),borophosphosilicate glass (BPSG), low-k dielectric material, and/orother applicable dielectric materials. Examples of low-k dielectricmaterials include, but are not limited to, fluorinated silica glass(FSG), carbon doped silicon oxide, amorphous fluorinated carbon,parylene, bis-benzocyclobutenes (BCB), or polyimide. The interlayerdielectric layer 212 may be formed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD),physical vapor deposition, (PVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), spin-oncoating, Flow-able CVD, or other applicable processes.

The gate stack structure 214 includes spacers 216, gate stack layers218, and an electrode 220. The gate structure 214 is formed over acentral portion of the fin structures 206. In some embodiments, multiplegate stack structures 214 are formed over the fin structures 206. Thegate stack layers 218 may include multiple layers, such as high-kdielectric layers, capping layers, high-k metal layers, interfacelayers, and/or other suitable features.

The gate stack layers 218 may include dielectric materials, such assilicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, dielectricmaterial(s) with high dielectric constant (high-k), or combinationsthereof. Examples of high-k dielectric materials include hafnium oxide,zirconium oxide, aluminum oxide, hafnium dioxide-alumina alloy, hafniumsilicon oxide, hafnium silicon oxynitride, hafnium tantalum oxide,hafnium titanium oxide, hafnium zirconium oxide, the like, orcombinations thereof.

The gate electrode 220 may include polysilicon or metal. Metal includestantalum nitride (TaN), nickel silicon (NiSi), cobalt silicon (CoSi),molybdenum (Mo), copper (Cu), tungsten (W), aluminum (Al), cobalt (Co),zirconium (Zr), platinum (Pt), or other applicable materials. The gateelectrode 220 may be formed in a gate last process (or gate replacementprocess).

FIG. 2A illustrates gate cut regions 213 disposed between and separatinglongitudinally aligned gate stack structures 214. The gate stackstructures 214 can be formed separated by gate cut regions 213 by anymethod. For example, in the context of a replacement gate process, dummygate structures, which are to be removed and replaced by the gate stackstructures 214, can be formed and patterned being separated by the gatecut regions 213. In such a case, spacers 216 may be formed along thegate stack structures 214 at the gate cut regions 213. In otherexamples, the dummy gate structures may be cut after the interlayerdielectric layer 212 is formed, such as by etching the dummy gatestructures and filling the etched recesses with a dielectric material toform the gate cut regions 213. In further examples, the gate stackstructures 214 may be cut after forming the interlayer dielectric layer212 and the gate stack structures 214, such as by etching the gate stackstructures 214 and filling the etched recesses with a dielectricmaterial to form the gate cut regions 213.

The fin structures 206 includes a channel region 222 surrounded orwrapped by the gate structures 214. The fin structures 206 may be dopedto provide a suitable channel for an n-type FinFET (NMOS device) or ap-type FinFET (PMOS device). The fin structures 206 may be doped using asuitable process, such as an ion implantation process, diffusionprocess, annealing process, other applicable processes, or combinationsthereof. The fin structures 206 include source/drain regions 210 andchannel regions 222 between the source/drain regions 210. The FinFETdevice structure 204 may be a device included in a microprocessor,memory cell (e.g., Static Random-Access Memory (SRAM), and/or otherintegrated circuits.

The FinFET device structure 204 includes multiple fin structures 206 andmultiple gate structures 214. The gate structures 214 traverse over thefin structures 206. The fin structures 206 may be substantially parallelto each other. The gate structures 214 may also be parallel to eachother and substantially perpendicular to the fin structures 206. Asshown in FIG. 2A, the fin structures 206 are along the x-direction andthe gate structures 214 are along the y-direction.

FIG. 2A is an example structure on which patterning with reducedend-to-end distances, such as described with respect to FIG. 1, may beperformed.

FIGS. 2B-2K are partial cross sectional views of the semiconductordevice 200. Each of the FIGS. 2B-2K includes a 1D (X-cut) view that is across sectional view of the semiconductor device 200 along a XX-XX planethat is parallel to the x-z plane, and a 2D (Y-cut) view that is a crosssectional view of the semiconductor device 200 along a YY-YY plane thatis parallel to the y-z plane. As shown in FIG. 2A, the x-y-z coordinatesare selected where the x-y plane is parallel to a top surface of thesubstrate 200, and the z-axis is perpendicular to the top surface of thesubstrate 200.

In operation 105 of the method 100, an etch stop layer 224 is formedover the gate structures 214 and the interlayer dielectric layer 212.The etch stop layer 224 may be a single layer or multiple layers. Theetch stop layer 224 is made of silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon carbide(SiC), silicon nitride (SixNy), silicon carbonitride (SiCN), siliconoxycarbide (SiOC), silicon oxycarbon nitride (SiOCN), or anotherapplicable material. In some embodiments, the etch stop layer 224 has abi-layer structure which includes a silicon oxide (SiOx) layer formed ona SiC layer, and silicon oxide layer is formed from tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS). The SiC layer is used as a glue layer to improveadhesion between the underlying layer and the silicon oxide layer.

In one embodiment, the etch stop layer 224 has a thickness of betweenabout 2 nm and 10 nm, for example about 5 nm. The etch stop layer 224includes a silicon nitride (Si_(x)N_(y)) formed by a plasma enhancedchemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process.

In operation 110 of the method 100, an interlayer dielectric layer 226is formed over the etch stop layer 224 as shown in FIG. 2B. Theinterlayer dielectric layer 226 is configured to electrically isolatecontact structures connecting the FinFET device structure 204 from eachother.

In some embodiments, the interlayer dielectric layer 226 is formed fromphysically densifying and/or chemically converting flowable dielectricmaterial(s) into dielectric materials, such as silicon oxide and siliconnitride. In some embodiment, the interlayer dielectric layer 226includes flowable dielectric materials formed in a flowable CVD (FCVD)process. In some embodiments, flowable dielectric materials mayprimarily include silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, silicon carbide,or silicon oxycarbide. Flowable dielectric materials, as their namesuggest, can “flow” during deposition to fill gaps or spaces with a highaspect ratio. Usually, various chemistries are added tosilicon-containing precursors to allow the deposited film to flow. Insome embodiments, nitrogen hydride bonds are added. Examples of flowabledielectric precursors, particularly flowable silicon oxide precursors,include a silicate, a siloxane, a methyl silsesquioxane (MSQ), ahydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ), an MSQ/HSQ, a perhydrosilazane (TCPS), aperhydro-polysilazane (PSZ), a tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), or asilyl-amine, such as trisilylamine (TSA).

In one embodiment, the interlayer dielectric layer 226 is formed fromannealing and high temperature (HT) doping flowable dielectric materialsinto silicon oxide. In some embodiments, annealing and/or HT doping ofdeposited flowable dielectric materials helps to remove undesiredelement(s) to densify the deposited flowable dielectric material.Materials used for doping these flowable dielectric materials mayinclude silicon, germanium, oxygen, nitrogen, or any combinationthereof, or any element(s) that does not alter and/or degrade thedielectric properties of the interlayer dielectric layer 226. The HTdoping process to form the interlayer dielectric layer 226 improvesstructural density of the dielectric material of the interlayerdielectric layer 226. For example, such improvement in structuraldensity substantially reduces the wet etch rate (WER) of the interlayerdielectric layer 226 by about 30% to about 50% compared to theinterlayer dielectric layers used formed without the HT doping process.

In one embodiment, the interlayer dielectric layer 226 includes siliconoxide formed from FCVD. The interlayer dielectric layer 226 may have athickness between about 30 nm and 100 nm, for example, about 65 nm.

In operation 115 of the method 100, a first hard mask layer 228 isformed over the interlayer dielectric layer 226, as shown in FIG. 2B.The first hard mask layer 228 is configured to provide a high etchingselectivity relative to the interlayer dielectric layer 226 during a dryetch process. In some embodiments, the first hard mask layer 228 is madeof a metal material, such as tungsten carbide (WC), titanium nitride(TiN), tantalum nitride (TaN), or tungsten nitride (WN). In oneembodiment, the first hard mask layer 228 has a thickness between about10 nm and 50 nm, for example, about 20 nm.

In operation 120 of the method 100, a second hard mask layer 230 isformed over the first hard mask layer 228 as shown in FIG. 2B. Thesecond hard mask layer 230 is configured to provide a high etchingselectivity relative to the first hard mask layer 228 during a dry etchprocess. The second hard mask layer 230 may include a silicon oxidelayer, or other suitable material. In one embodiment, the second hardmask layer 230 is a silicon oxide layer formed by PECVD. In oneembodiment, the second hard mask layer 230 has a thickness between about20 nm and 80 nm, for example, about 40 nm.

In operation 125 of the method 100, a tri-layer photoresist structure232 is formed on the second hard mask layer 230 as shown in FIG. 2C. Thetri-layer photoresist structure 232 includes a bottom layer 234, amiddle layer 236, and a top layer 238. In one embodiment, the tri-layerphotoresist 232 may be selected to be suitable for an extremeultraviolet (EUV) photolithography.

The bottom layer 234 contains a material that is patternable and/or hasa composition tuned to provide anti-reflection properties. In oneembodiment, the bottom layer 234 is a bottom anti-reflective coating(BARC) layer configured to reduce reflection during the photolithographyprocess. In one embodiment, the bottom layer 234 includes monomers orpolymers that are not cross-linked, for example a carbon backbonepolymer. In other embodiments, the bottom layer 234 is made ofnitrogen-free material, such as silicon rich oxide, or siliconoxycarbide (SiOC). The bottom layer 234 may be formed by a spin coatingprocess. In other embodiments, the underlayer may be formed by anothersuitable deposition process. In one embodiment, the bottom layer 234includes spin-on-carbon (SOC). The bottom layer 234 may have a thicknessbetween about 60 nm and 300 nm, for example, about 200 nm.

The middle layer 236 may have a composition that provides ananti-reflective properties and/or hard mask properties for thelithography process. In one embodiment, the middle layer 236 includes asilicon containing layer (e.g., silicon hard mask material). The middlelayer 236 may include a silicon-containing inorganic polymer. In otherembodiment, the middle layer 236 includes a siloxane polymer (e.g., apolymer having a backbone of O—Si—O—Si—etc.). The silicon ratio of themiddle layer 236 may be selected to control the etch rate. In otherembodiments the middle layer 236 may include silicon oxide (e.g.,spin-on glass (SOG)), silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride,polycrystalline silicon, a metal-containing organic polymer materialthat contains metal such as titanium, titanium nitride, aluminum, and/ortantalum; and/or other suitable materials. In one embodiment, the middlelayer 236 may have a thickness between about 15 nm and 50 nm, forexample, about 30 nm.

The top layer 238 may be a positive photoresist layer or a negativephotoresist layer. In some embodiments, the top layer 238 is made ofPoly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), Poly (methyl glutarimide) (PMGI),Phenol formaldehyde resin (DNQ/Novolac) or SU-8. In one embodiment, thetop layer 238 may have a thickness between about 30 nm and 85 nm, forexample, about 65 nm.

In operation 130 of the method 100, the top layer 238 is patterned usinga photolithography process. The top layer 238 may be formed using an EUVlithography process, which uses extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation orsoft x-ray, i.e. radiation with wavelength shorter than 130 nm, hasbecome one of the lithography methods for forming smaller semiconductordevices.

After the photolithography process, features 240 are formed in the toplayer 238 as shown in FIG. 2D. In one embodiment, each feature 240 maybe an opening having a width 242 along the x-direction and a length 244along the y-direction. The width 242 may be between about 10 nm and 15nm. In one embodiment, the length 244 may be between about 20 nm to 100nm. The features 240 may be aligned along the y-direction with anend-to-end distance 246 between the neighboring features 240. In otherwords, the features 240 are uni-directionally arranged such that alongitudinal axis of each feature 240 is parallel to the y-axis. In oneembodiment, the end-to-end distance 246 may be less than about 65 nm.For example, the end-to-end distance 246 may be less than 55 nm. In oneembodiment, the end-to-end distance 246 is between about 40 nm to about50 nm.

In one embodiment, the length 244 of the features 240 is shorter than atarget length of an opening to be formed in the interlayer dielectriclayer 226. In other words, the end-to-end distance 246 is longer than atarget end-to-end distance to be achieved in the interlayer dielectriclayer 226. In one embodiment, the length 244 may be between about 20 nmand 30 nm shorter than a target length of features to be formed in theinterlayer dielectric layer 226.

FIG. 3A is a schematic plan view of a pattern 300 a used to pattern thetop layer 238. The pattern 300 a reflects a pattern in a reticle used topattern the top layer 238. The pattern 300 a includes the plurality ofunidirectional features 240. Particularly, the plurality of features 240are arranged in multiple lines along the y-direction and havesubstantially the same widths 242 along the x-direction. The lengths 244of the plurality of features 240 along the y-direction may be similar ordifferent depending on the design of the integrated circuit.

In the exemplary design of FIG. 3A, features 240 includes features240Vss, 240Vcc, 240BL, 240 nN which are intended to provide openings forelectrically contacts to source/drain regions, gate electrode, andinterconnects for FinFET devices. The features 240Vss, 240Vcc, 240BL,240 nN have substantially similar width along the x-direction andvarious lengths along the longitudinal direction or the y-direction. Forexample, the features 240Vss, 240Vcc, 240BL are linearly arranged alongthe same line in the y-direction. The features 240Vss, 240Vcc, 240BL mayhave a length of about 80 nm, 35 nm, and 15 nm respectively. End-to-enddistances between neighboring features 240Vss, 240Vcc, 240BL may beabout 55 nm. A plurality of features 240 nN are linearly arranged alongthe same line in the y-direction. The features 240 nN may have a lengthof about 55 nm. End-to-end distances between neighboring features 240 nNmay be about 55 nm.

Referring back to FIG. 2D, after the top layer 238 is patterned, themiddle layer 236 is patterned using the patterned top layer 238 as amask. As a result, the pattern of the top layer 238 is transferred tothe middle layer 236 forming a patterned middle layer 236. After themiddle layer 236 is patterned, the bottom layer 234 is patterned usingthe patterned middle layer 236 as a mask as shown. The middle layer 236and the bottom layer 234 may be patterned using a plasma process.

In operation 135 of the method 100, the second hard mask layer 230 ispatterned using the patterned photoresist structure 232 as a mask, asshown in FIG. 2E. A dry etch process may be used in operation 135 topattern the second mask layer 230. During operation, the features 240are transferred from the patterned photoresist structure 232 to thesecond mask layer 230.

In one embodiment, the second mask layer 230 is patterned using an etchgas comprising fluorine-containing gas, nitrogen (N₂), oxygen (O₂) orcombinations thereof. The fluorine-containing gas includes nitrogenhexafluoroethane (C₂F₆), tetrafluoromethane (CF₄), trifluoromethane(CHF₃), difluoromethane (CH₂F₂), octofluoropropane (C₃F₈),octofluorocyclobutane (C₄F₈), or combinations thereof.

In operation 140 of the method 100, a dry etching process may beperformed to remove the top layer 238 and the middle layer 236. As shownin FIG. 2E, only the bottom layer 234 of the tri-layer photoresiststructure 232 is left after the dry etching process in operation 140.

In operation 145 of the method 100, an angled etch process is performedto modify the patterned second hard mask layer 230 along one directionas shown in FIGS. 2F and 2G. Ion beams 254 a and/or ion beam 254 b aredirected to the substrate 200 at an angle relative to the z-axis tomodify sidewalls 258 a, 258 b of the features 240 in the y-directionwithout affecting sidewalls 260 of the features 240.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plot of an angled etch process used in theoperation 145. The substrate 202 having features 240 is positioned inthe x-y plane. The substrate 202 may be rotated about the z-axis so thatsidewalls 260 are along the y-direction or the longitudinal axis of thefeatures 240 is parallel to the y-axis. Ion beams 254 a, 254 b aredirected towards substrate 202 in a plane substantially parallel to they-z plane so that the ion beans 254 a, 254 b are parallel to thesidewalls 260 of the features 24 o. Ion beams 254 a may have an angle404 relative to the z-axis in the y-z plane. Ion beams 254 a may have anangle 406 relative to the z-axis. In one embodiment, ion beams 254 a,254 b may be a ribbon of ion beams in a plane 402 scanning across thesubstrate along the x-direction. In other embodiments, ion beams 254 a,254 b may be bulk ion beams directed to the entire surface of thesubstrate 202 simultaneously.

The angles 404, 406 may be selected according to an aspect ratio alongthe y-direction (a depth over length 244) of the features 240 to achievea target etch rate along the y-direction. In one embodiment, the angles404, 406 may be between 10 degrees and 30 degrees when the maximumaspect ratio along the y-direction of the features 240 (depth of thefeature 240 over the minimum length 244) is between about 1.0 to 10, forexample about 5.0. In one embodiment, the angles 404, 406 may be about20 degrees when the maximum aspect ratio along the y-direction of thefeatures 240 (depth of the feature 240 over the minimum length 244) isbetween about 1.0 to 10, for example about 5.0.

The angles 404, 406 may be selected to adjust an etch rate along they-direction. For example, a larger angel 404, 406 corresponds to afaster etch rate along the bottom of hard mask 230 y-direction. In otherembodiments, etching time and etch rate may be selected to achieve adesired increase in length of the features 240. In one embodiment, oneor both of angles 404, 406 can be spread in a range of angles. In oneembodiment, one or both of angles 404, 406 are spread in a range ofabout 10°. In another embodiment, one or both of angles 404, 406 arespread in a range of about 5°.

In operation 145, the ion beams 254 a are directed to the substrate 202at the angle 404 so that the ion beams 254 a impinge the second masklayer 230 on the sidewall 258 a of the feature 240 as shown in FIG. 2F.On the other hand, the ion beams 254 a do not directly impinge thesidewalls 260 of the features 240. As a result, the features 240 obtaina length increase 256 along the y-direction while the width 242 of thefeatures 240 remains unchanged. Similarly, the ion beams 254 b aredirected to the substrate 202 at the angle 406 so that the ion beams 254b impinge the second mask layer 230 on the sidewall 258 b of thefeatures 240 as shown in FIG. 2G. On the other hand, the ion beams 254 bdo not directly impinge the sidewalls 260 of the feature 240. As aresult, the features 240 obtain a length increase 262 along they-direction while the width 242 of the features 240 remains unchanged.

Depending on the recipe used in the operation 145, one or both ion beams254 a, 254 b may be applied. Ion beams 254 a, 254 b may be applied atsequentially or simultaneously depending on the apparatus used inoperation 145.

In one embodiment, the ion beam 254 a, 254 b may be generated from aplasma of an etch gas. The etch gas may include fluorine-containing gas,nitrogen (N₂), oxygen (O₂) or an inert gas, such as argon (Ar), orcombinations thereof. The fluorine-containing gas includestetrafluoromethane (CF₄), nitrogen hexafluoroethane (C₂F₆),trifluoromethane (CHF₃), difluoromethane (CH₂F₂), octofluoropropane(C₃F₈), octofluorocyclobutane (C₄F₈), Octafluorocyclopentene (C₅F₈), orcombinations thereof. In one embodiment, a carrier gas, such as argon,may be included in the etch gas to generate to the ion beams 254 a, 254b.

At operation 155 of the method 100, the bottom layer 234 of thetri-layer photoresist structure 232 is removed as shown in FIG. 2H. Thebottom layer 234 may be removed by a strip process, such as an ashingprocess. A wet cleaning process may be performed following the stripprocess.

The features 240 have been modified to features 240′. The features 240′has a length 250 that is increased by the angled etch process in theoperation 145, and a width 248 that is substantially the same as thewidth 242 of the features 240. An end-to-end distance 252 between thefeatures 240′ is reduced from the end-to-end distance 246 between thefeatures 240. The dimension of the features 240′ and the end-to-enddistance 252 correspond to target dimensions to be formed in theinterlayer dielectric layer 226.

FIG. 3B is a schematic plan view of a pattern 300 b formed in the secondhard mask layer 230 after the angled etch process according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure. The pattern 300 b reflects atarget pattern to be formed in the interlayer dielectric layer 226. Thepattern 300 b includes the plurality of unidirectional features 240′modified from the plurality of unidirectional features 240 in thepattern 300 a. Particularly, the plurality of features 240′ are arrangedin multiple lines along the y-direction and have substantially the samewidths 248 along the x-direction. The lengths 250 of the plurality offeatures 240′ along the y-direction are similar or different dependingon the design of the integrated circuit.

The width 248 of the features 240′ may be between about 10 nm and 15 nm.According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the differencebetween the width 248 and the width 242 is less than 3 nm, for example,nearly 0 nm. In one embodiment, the length 250 of the features 240′ maybe between about 35 nm to 130 nm. In one embodiment, the end-to-enddistance 252 between the neighboring features 240′ may be less thanabout 35 nm. For example, the end-to-end distance 252 may be less than25 nm. In one embodiment, the end-to-end distance 252 is between about20 nm and about 25 nm.

In the exemplary pattern of FIG. 3B, the features 240′Vss, 240′Vcc,240′BL may have a length of about 110 nm, 65 nm, and 45 nm respectively.End-to-end distance between neighboring features 240′Vss, 240′Vcc,240′BL may be about 20 nm to 30 nm. The features 240′nN may have alength of about 85 nm. End-to-end space between neighboring features240′nN may be about 20 nm to 30 nm. Comparing the patterns 300 a and 300b, the end-to-end distance between the features has been reduced forabout 20 nm to 30 nm. In the pattern 300 b, the end-to-end distance 252is less than 35 nm.

In operation 160 of the method 100, an etch process is performed totransfer the pattern 300 b from the second hard mask layer 230 to thefirst hard mask layer 228 as shown in FIG. 2I. Operation 160 may beperformed by a dry etch process using a plasma of an etch gas. In oneembodiment, the etch gas includes chlorine or fluorine based gas whenthe first hard mask layer 228 includes metals, such as titanium nitride,tungsten carbide. For example, the etch gas may include Sulfurhexafluoride (SF₆), nitrogen tri-fluoride (NF₃) combined with chlorine(Cl₂), carbon tetrafluoride (CF₄), hexafluoroethane (C₂F₆), chlorine(Cl₂), Boron tri-chloride (BCl₃), and a combination thereof.

In one embodiment, operation 160 includes a wet cleaning processfollowing the dry etch to remove residues from the substrate. Afteroperation 160, the pattern 300 b is transferred to the first hard masklayer 228.

As discussed above, a below 35 nm end-to-end distance may be achievedusing three photolithographic processes with three different patternsand four etch processes. The method 100 achieves a below 35 nmend-to-end distance with one photolithographic process, operation 130,and three etch processes, operations 135, 145, 160. As a result, themethod 100 reduces production time and cost by eliminating twophotolithographic processes and one etch process.

In operation 165 of the method 100, the interlayer dielectric layer 226is patterned by an etch process using the first hard mask layer 228 as amask as shown in FIG. 2J. The etch process may be a dry etch processusing a plasma of an etch gas. The etch gas may includefluorine-containing gas, nitrogen (N₂), oxygen (O₂) or combinationsthereof. The fluorine-containing gas includes tetrafluoromethane (CF₄),nitrogen hexafluoroethane (C₂F₆), trifluoromethane (CHF₃),difluoromethane (CH₂F₂), octofluoropropane (C₃F₈), octofluorocyclobutane(C₄F₈), Octafluorocyclopentene (C₅F₈), or combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, the etch process in operation 165 also etches throughthe etch stop layer 224 and the interlayer dielectric layer 212 to formfeatures 264. The features 264 may be trenches or vias opening to thesource/drain regions, gate electrodes, or other regions of the FinFETdevice structure 204 for forming electrical contacts to the FinFETdevice structure 204.

In operation 170 of the method 100, a metallization process is performedto fill the features 264 with electrically conductive material to makecontacts 266, as shown in FIG. 2K. In one embodiment, a planizationprocess, such as a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process isperformed after the metal fill.

In some embodiments, the conductive material used to make contact 266includes aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), tungsten (W), titanium (Ti),tantulum (Ta), titanium nitride (TiN), tantalum nitride (TaN), nickelsilicide (NiSi) cobalt silicide (CoSi), tantulum carbide (TaC), tantulumsilicide nitride (TaSiN), tantalum carbide nitride (TaCN), titaniumaluminide (TiAl), titanium aluminide nitride (TiAlN), other applicableconductive materials, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, thecontacts 266 include a titanium nitride layer and tungsten formed overthe titanium nitride layer.

In some embodiments, the contacts 266 may further include a liner and/ora barrier layer. For example, a liner (not shown) may be formed on thesidewalls and bottom of the contact trench 264. The liner may be eithertetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) or silicon nitride, although any otherapplicable dielectric may alternatively be used. The liner may be formedusing a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process,although other applicable processes, such as physical vapor depositionor a thermal process, may alternatively be used. The barrier layer (notshown) may be formed over the liner (if present) and may cover thesidewalls and bottom of the opening. The barrier layer may be formedusing a process such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapordeposition (PVD), plasma enhanced CVD (PECVD), plasma enhanced physicalvapor deposition (PEPVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), or any otherapplicable deposition processes. The barrier layer may be made oftantalum nitride, although other materials, such as tantalum, titanium,titanium nitride, or the like, may also be used.

As shown in FIG. 2K, the contacts 266 are formed through the interlayerdielectric layer 226. The end-to-end distance between the metal contacts266 is less than 35 nm. In one embodiment, the end-to-end distancebetween the metal contacts 266 is between about 20 nm and about 25 nm.

The angled etch process according to the present disclosure, asdiscussed in operation 145 of the method 100, may be performed in aplasma chamber where ion beams can be directed to a substrate beingprocessed at an angle.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a process apparatus 500 forperforming the angled etch according to embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The process apparatus 500 generates and directs an ion beamribbon towards a substrate at an angle.

As shown in FIG. 5, the process apparatus 500 may include a processchamber 502 and a plasma chamber 504. The process apparatus 500 mayinclude an antenna 506. The antenna 506 may be disposed outside theplasma chamber 504. The antenna 506 may be electrically connected to aRF power supply (not shown), which supplies an alternating voltage tothe antenna 506. The voltage may be at a frequency of, for example, 2MHz or more, to generate a plasma in the plasma chamber 504. Inoperation, the antenna 506 is powered using a RF signal to inductivelycouple energy into the plasma chamber 504. The inductively coupledenergy excites a process gas, such as the etch gas in operation 145,introduced the plasma chamber, thus generating a plasma.

The plasma chamber 504 includes a chamber wall 508 having an extractionaperture 510. The chamber wall 508 may be disposed on the side of theprocess chamber 502 facing a substrate carrier 512 disposed in theprocess chamber 502. The extract aperture 510 is configured to direct aribbon of ion beams 520 towards the substrate carrier 512. As shown incircle 518, the aperture 510 may be configured to direct the ribbon ofion beam 520 at various angels and combinations towards the substrate514.

The substrate carrier 512 is configured to secure and move a substrate514 in the process chamber 502. The substrate carrier 512 may translatethe along the x direction in the process chamber 502 so that the ribbonof ion beam 520 scan through the entire surface of the substrate 514 onthe substrate carrier 512.

The substrate 514 may be grounded during operation. An extraction powersupply 516 may be used to apply an extraction voltage between thesubstrate 514 and the chamber wall 508. The extraction voltage may bebetween about 800 Volt and about 1200 volt, for example, about 1000volt, although other voltages are within the scope of the disclosure. Inaddition, the extraction voltage may be a square wave, having afrequency of between about 1 kHz and 50 kHz, although other frequenciesare within the scope of the disclosure.

When the extraction voltage is applied between the chamber wall 508 ofthe plasma chamber 504 and the substrate 514, and the plasma within theplasma chamber 504 is biased by the extraction voltage relative to thesubstrate 514. The difference in potential between the plasma and thesubstrate 514 causes positively charged ions in the plasma to beaccelerated through the extraction aperture 510 in the form of theribbon of ion beam 520 and toward the substrate 514.

During operation, the substrate 514 is disposed proximate and oppositethe chamber wall 508 having the extraction aperture 510. In someembodiments, the substrate 514 may be positioned between about 5 mm and15 mm away from the aperture 510, for example, about 12 mm.

In one embodiment, the substrate 514 may be positioned relative to theextraction aperture 510 to align features on the substrate 514 to theribbon of ion beams 520 to achieve the angled etch according to thepresent disclosure. In one embodiment, the substrate 514 may bepre-aligned before secured to the substrate carrier 512. In oneembodiment, the substrate 514 may be rotated about the z-axis by thesubstrate carrier 512. In other embodiment, the extraction aperture 510may be rotated about the z-axis. In other embodiment, both the substratecarrier 512 and the extraction aperture 510 may rotate about the z-axis.

The ribbon of ion beam 520 may be at least as wide as the substrate 514in one direction, such as the y-direction, and may be much narrower thanthe substrate 514 in the orthogonal direction (or x-direction). Thesubstrate 514 may be translated relative to the extraction aperture 510such that different portions of the substrate 514 are exposed to theribbon of ion beam 520. In another embodiment, the plasma chamber 504may be translated while the substrate 514 remains stationary. In otherembodiments, both the plasma chamber 504 and the substrate 514 may betranslated. In some embodiments, the substrate 514 moves at a constantworkpiece scan velocity relative to the extraction aperture 510 in thex-direction, so that the entirety of the substrate 514 is exposed to theribbon of ion beam 520 for the same amount of time.

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a process apparatus 600 forperforming the angled etch according to embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The process apparatus 600 generates and directs a bulk ionbeam 620 towards a substrate at an angle.

As shown in FIG. 6, the process apparatus 600 may include a processchamber 602 and a plasma chamber 604. The process apparatus 600 mayinclude an antenna 606. The antenna 606 may be disposed outside theplasma chamber 604. The antenna 606 may be electrically connected to aRF power supply (not shown), which supplies an alternating voltage tothe antenna 606. The voltage may be at a frequency of, for example, 2MHz or more, to generate a plasma in the plasma chamber 604. Inoperation, the antenna 606 is powered using a RF signal to inductivelycouple energy into the plasma chamber 604. The inductively coupledenergy excites a process gas, such as the etch gas in operation 145,which is introduced into the plasma chamber 604, thus generating aplasma.

The plasma chamber 604 includes a plasm grill 608 having a plurality ofapertures 610. The plasm grill 608 may be disposed over the processchamber 602 facing a substrate carrier 612 disposed in the processchamber 602. The plurality of apertures 610 are configured to direct thebulk ion beam 620 along the z-direction. The bulk ion beam 620 may bedirected towards the substrate 614 on the substrate carrier 612 atvarious impinging angles. The impinging angle of the bulk ion beam 620is controlled by rotating the substrate carrier about the x-direction.

The substrate carrier 612 is configured to secure and move a substrate614 in the process chamber 602. The substrate carrier 612 may translatethe along the z direction in the process chamber 602 to adjust thedistance between the substrate 614 and the plasma grill 608. Thesubstrate carrier 612 may also rotate about the x-axis, y-axis, andz-axis to align the substrate 614 with the bulk ion beam 620 and toadjust the impinging angle of the bulk ion beam 620 at the substrate614. As shown in FIG. 6, the x-y-z coordinate system is selected wherethe z-axis passes through a center axis 618 of the substrate carrier612.

The substrate 614 may be grounded during operation. An extraction powersupply 616 may be used to apply an extraction voltage between thesubstrate 614 and the plasma grill 608. The extraction voltage may be aconstant voltage. Alternatively, the extraction voltage may be a squarewave, having a frequency of between about 1 kHz and 50 kHz, althoughother frequencies are within the scope of the disclosure.

When the extraction voltage is applied between the plasma grill 608 andthe substrate 614, and the plasma within the plasma chamber 604 isbiased by the extraction voltage relative to the substrate 614. Thedifference in potential between the plasma and the substrate 614 causespositively charged ions in the plasma to be accelerated through theplurality of apertures 610 in the plasma grill 608 the bulk ion beam 620toward the substrate 614.

Prior to performing an angled etch process according to the presentdisclosure, the substrate 614 may be secured to the substrate carrier612. The substrate carrier 612 may rotate about the z-axis to alignlongitudinal axis of features on the substrate 614, such as the features240. For example, the substrate 614 may be rotated so that the lengths244 of the features 240 are parallel to the y-axis. The substrate 614may be rotated about the x-axis by the substrate carrier 612 to selectan angle for the angled etch as disclosed in the present disclosure.

During the angled etch as described in operation 145, the substrateremains stationary. In one embodiment, the substrate 614 may be rotatedfor 180 degrees about the z-axis at half time to balance the distancedifferences between the plasma grill 608 and different portions of thesubstrate 614.

EXAMPLE

In one example, the method 100 of the present disclosure is performedusing a process apparatus similar to the process apparatus 500 of FIG. 5to perform the angled etch in operation 145 of the method 100.

Prior to operation 145, a first pattern is formed in a tri-layerphotoresist layer. After a photolithographic process, the patternincludes a Vss feature, a Vcc feature, and a BL feature arrangedrepeatedly and sequentially lengthwise in a line. The Vss feature has alength of about 100 nm, the Vcc feature has a length of about 55 nm, andthe BL feature has a length of about 35 nm. The end-to-end distancebetween the BL feature and the Vss feature is about 30 nm. Theend-to-end distance between the Vss feature and the Vcc feature is about30 nm. The end-to-end distance between the Vcc feature and the BLfeature is about 30 nm. After etching a second hard mask, such as thehard mark 230, the pattern includes a Vss feature, a Vcc feature, and aBL feature arranged repeatedly and sequentially lengthwise in a line.The Vss feature has a length of about 80 nm, the Vcc feature has alength of about 35 nm, and the BL feature has a length of about 15 nm.The end-to-end distance between the BL feature and the Vss feature isabout 50 nm. The end-to-end distance between the Vss feature and the Vccfeature is about 50 nm. The end-to-end distance between the Vcc featureand the BL feature is about 50 nm

An angled etch process is performed to the first pattern using a processapparatus similar to the process apparatus 500. During operation, a 1000Walt power is applied to the plasma source to generate a plasma of anetch gas. A 1000 volt extraction voltage is applied to extract a ribbonof ion beam. The etch gas includes 10 sccm of CF₄, 5 sccm of CH₃F and 9sccm of Argon. The impinging angle of the ribbon of ion beam is about 21degrees. The distance between the substrate and the extraction apertureis about 12 mm. The angled process is performed for 10-30 minutes.

After the angled etch process, the Vss feature has a length of about 110nm, increased by 30 nm from the original length 80 nm. The Vcc featurehas a length of about 65 nm, increased by 30 nm from the original length35 nm. The BL feature has a length of about 45 nm, increased by 30 nmfrom the original length 15 nm. The variation in length change betweenlong openings and short openings are less than 2 nm. The changes inwidth of the features are not detectable or less than 3 nm. Theend-to-end distance between the BL feature and the Vss feature is about25 nm. The end-to-end distance between the Vss feature and the Vccfeature is about 25 nm. The end-to-end distance between the Vcc featureand the BL feature is about 25 nm.

Even though a process for patterning an interlayer metal dielectriclayer is described above, embodiments of the present disclosure may beused for patterning layers to form unidirectional features with anend-to-end distance lower than 35 nm. For example, embodiments of thepresent disclosure may be used to pattern an active region with linefeatures, for example to form fin in the active region, pattern apolysilicon layer, for example to form dummy gates in the polysiliconlayer, or pattern a metal gate structure, for example to form isolationstructures in metal gates.

Even though a method for manufacturing FinFET devices is describedabove, embodiments of the present disclosure may be used inmanufacturing of any suitable devices where there is a need to form apattern with an end-to-end distance lower than 35 nm. For example,device elements include transistors (e.g., metal oxide semiconductorfield effect transistors (MOSFET), complementary metal oxidesemiconductor (CMOS) transistors, bipolar junction transistors (BJT),high-voltage transistors, high-frequency transistors, p-channel and/or nchannel field effect transistors (PFETs/NFETs), etc.), diodes, and/orother applicable elements.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may be used for patterning a layerin a 5 nm node or beyond 5 nm node fabrication to achieve an end-to-enddistance below 35 nm. Compared to the state of the art technology,embodiments of the present disclosure reduce cycle time and cost ofproduction from three lithographic processes and four etching processesto one lithographic process and three etch processes.

One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of processinga substrate. The method includes patterning a hard mask layer on thesubstrate to form a feature in the hard mask layer, and performing anangled etch process to modify the feature by increasing a length of thefeature while maintaining a width of the feature. In some embodiments,performing the angled etch process includes directing an ion beamtowards a top surface of the substrate, wherein a plane including theion beam is parallel to a plane of a sidewall of the feature along thelength of the feature. In some embodiments, the ion beam is at animpinging angle relative to a z-axis perpendicular to the top surface ofthe substrate. In some embodiments, the impinging angle is between about10 degrees to about 30 degrees. In some embodiments, the method furtherincludes selecting the impinging angle according to an aspect ratio ofthe feature. In some embodiments, the ion beam is a ribbon of ion beamcovering a width of the substrate. In some embodiments, the ion beam isa bulk ion beam covering the entire top surface of the substrate. Insome embodiments, the length of the feature is increased by about 20 nmto about 30 nm. In some embodiments, patterning the mask layer isperformed by an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithographic process. In someembodiments, the method further includes removing a photoresist layerused in patterning the mask layer after performing the angled etchprocess.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method ofpatterning a layer on a substrate. The method includes forming a firsthard mask layer over the layer, forming a second mask layer over thefirst mask layer, forming a photoresist layer over the second masklayer, patterning the photoresist layer using a photolithographicprocess, etching the second mask layer using the photoresist layer as amask to form a feature in the second mask layer, performing an angledetch to modify the feature by increasing a length of the feature withoutchanging a width of the feature, and etching the first mask layer usingthe second mask layer as a mask. In some embodiments, thephotolithographic process is an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithographicprocess. In some embodiments, performing the angled etch processincludes directing an ion beam towards a top surface of the substrate,wherein a plane including the ion beam is parallel to a plane of asidewall of the feature along the length of the feature. In someembodiments, the ion beam is at an impinging angle relative to a z-axisperpendicular to the top surface of the substrate. In some embodiments,the impinging angle is between about 10 degrees to about 30 degrees. Insome embodiments, the ion beam is a ribbon of ion beam covering a widthof the substrate. In some embodiments, the ion beam is a bulk ion beamcovering the entire top surface of the substrate. In some embodiments,wherein the length of the feature is increased by about 20 nm to about30 nm. In some embodiments, the layer is one of an interlayer dielectriclayer formed over FinFET device structures.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method ofmanufacturing a semiconductor device. The method includes patterning ahard mask layer on a substrate to form a first pattern in the hard masklayer, wherein the first pattern includes two or more unidirectionalfeatures aligned along a line having an end-to-end distance at a firstvalue, and performing an angled etch process to reduce the end-to-enddistance between two features from the first value to a second valuewithout changing a width of the two or more features. In someembodiments, the second value of the end-to-end distance is less than 35nm. In some embodiments, performing the angled etch process includesdirecting an ion beam towards a top surface of the substrate, wherein aplane including the ion beam is parallel to a plane of a sidewall of thefeature along the length of the feature. In some embodiments, the ionbeam is at an impinging angle relative to a z-axis perpendicular to thetop surface of the substrate. In some embodiments, the ion beam is abulk ion beam covering the entire top surface of the substrate. In someembodiments, the length of the feature is increased by about 20 nm toabout 30 nm.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method forforming a semiconductor device. The method includes forming aninterlayer dielectric layer over gate structures of a FinFET structure,and patterning the interlayer dielectric layer to form a contact openingin the interlayer dielectric layer, including forming a first hard masklayer over the interlayer dielectric layer, forming a second hard masklayer over the first hard mask layer, patterning the second hard masklayer to form a first opening in the first hard mask layer, wherein alength of the first opening is shorter than a length of the contactopening, performing an angled etch process to increase the length offirst opening without changing a width of the first opening, etching thefirst hard mask layer using the second hard mask as a mask, thereby,transferring the modified first opening to the first hard mask layer,and etching the interlayer dielectric layer to form the contact openingusing the modified first opening in the first hard mask as a mask. Insome embodiments, performing the angled etch process includes directingan ion beam towards a top surface of the substrate, wherein a planeincluding the ion beam is parallel to a plane of a sidewall of the firstopening along the length of the first opening.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method offorming a semiconductor device. The method includes forming aninterlayer dielectric layer over gate structures of a FinFET structure,and patterning the interlayer dielectric layer to form a contact openingin the interlayer dielectric layer, including patterning a hard masklayer over the interlayer dielectric layer to form a first pattern inthe hard mask layer, wherein the first pattern includes two or moreunidirectional features aligned along a line having an end-to-enddistance at a first value, and performing an angled etch process toincrease a length of the two or more features without changing a widthof the two or more features, thereby, reducing the end-to-end distancefrom the first value to a second value.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method formanufacturing a semiconductor device. The method includes forming afirst pattern in a photoresist layer, wherein the first pattern includesunidirectional features, etching a mask layer below the photoresistlayer using the photoresist layer as a mask to form the first pattern inthe mask layer, and directing an ion beam at an angle to increaselengths of the unidirectional features without enlarging a width of theunidirectional features. In some embodiments, the ion beam is directedalong a plane parallel to a plane of sidewalls of the unidirectionalfeatures along the length of the unidirectional features.

The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that thoseskilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the presentdisclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they mayreadily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifyingother processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/orachieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein.Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalentconstructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, andalterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of patterning a layer on a substrate,comprising: forming a first mask layer over the layer; forming a secondmask layer over the first mask layer; forming a photoresist layer overthe second mask layer; patterning the photoresist layer using aphotolithographic process; etching the second mask layer using thephotoresist layer as a mask to form a feature in the second mask layer;performing an angled etch to modify the feature by increasing a lengthof the feature without changing a width of the feature; and etching thefirst mask layer using the second mask layer as a mask.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the photolithographic process is an extreme ultraviolet(EUV) lithographic process.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein performingthe angled etch comprising: directing an ion beam towards a top surfaceof the substrate, wherein a plane including the ion beam is parallel toa plane of a sidewall of the feature along the length of the feature. 4.The method of claim 3, wherein the ion beam is at an impinging anglerelative to a z-axis perpendicular to the top surface of the substrate.5. The method of claim 4, wherein the impinging angle is between about10 degrees to about 30 degrees.
 6. The method of claim 3, wherein theion beam is a ribbon of ion beam covering a width of the substrate. 7.The method of claim 3, wherein the ion beam is a bulk ion beam coveringthe entire top surface of the substrate.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein the length of the feature is increased by about 20 nm to about30 nm.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the layer is one of aninterlayer dielectric layer formed over FinFET device structures.
 10. Amethod of forming a semiconductor device, comprising: forming aninterlayer dielectric layer over gate structures of a FinFET structure;and patterning the interlayer dielectric layer to form a contact openingin the interlayer dielectric layer, comprising: patterning a hard masklayer over the interlayer dielectric layer to form a first pattern inthe hard mask layer, wherein the first pattern includes two or moreunidirectional features aligned along a line having an end-to-enddistance at a first value; and performing an angled etch process toincrease a length of the two or more unidirectional features withoutchanging a width of the two or more unidirectional features, thereby,reducing the end-to-end distance from the first value to a second value.11. The method of claim 10, wherein performing the angled etch processcomprises: directing an ion beam towards a top surface of the interlayerdielectric layer, wherein a plane including the ion beam is parallel toa plane of a sidewall of the two or more unidirectional features alongthe length of the two or more unidirectional features.
 12. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the ion beam at an impinging angle relative to az-axis perpendicular to the top surface of the interlayer dielectriclayer.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the impinging angle isbetween about 10 degrees to about 30 degrees.
 14. The method of claim12, further comprising selecting the impinging angle according to anaspect ratio of the two or more unidirectional features.
 15. The methodof claim 10, wherein the length of the two or more unidirectionalfeatures is increased by about 20 nm to about 30 nm.
 16. The method ofclaim 10, wherein patterning the hard mask layer is performed by anextreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithographic process.
 17. The method of claim10, further comprising: removing a photoresist layer used in patterningthe hard mask layer after performing the angled etch process.
 18. Amethod for manufacturing a semiconductor device, comprising: forming afirst pattern in a photoresist layer, wherein the first pattern includesunidirectional features; etching a mask layer below the photoresistlayer using the photoresist layer as a mask to the first pattern in themask layer; and directing an ion beam at an angle to increase lengths ofthe unidirectional features without enlarging a width of theunidirectional features.
 19. The method of 18, wherein the ion beam isdirected along a plane parallel to a plane of sidewalls of theunidirectional features along the length of the unidirectional features.20. The method of claim 18, wherein forming the first pattern in aphotoresist layer is performed by an extreme ultraviolet (EUV)lithographic process.